The top-level domain (TLD) “.oracle” is a branded, generic top-level domain (gTLD) name exclusively used by Oracle Corporation. Top-level domain names are the highest level of domain names in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet, characterized by being to the extreme right of the domain name.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the body that oversees domain naming systems, introduced the concept of branded TLDs in 2012 as part of its New gTLD Program. The program aimed to enhance competition, innovation, and consumer choice in the domain name space. Under this program, corporates and organizations could apply for a TLD that matches their brand name.
As a public multinational technology corporation with an operating revenue of over 39 billion U.S. dollars (as per Statista), Oracle Corporation applied for the “.oracle” domain as a way to create a trusted, authoritative digital space for its diversified products and services. The corporation primarily specializes in developing and marketing database software and technology, cloud engineered systems, and enterprise software products. Some of their well-known products include Oracle Database, Oracle Cloud, Oracle ERP, and so on.
The acquisition of the “.oracle” TLD was approved by ICANN in 2015 and, since then, the TLD is exclusively controlled by Oracle Corporation and is used for its digital properties. This use of branded TLDs is a growing trend among major corporations who want a more personalized presence on the internet, which in turn helps them to enhance their brand identity and provide a secure environment for customers. Other similar examples of branded TLDs are “.google”, “.apple”, “.microsoft” and “.amazon”.
The information above was obtained from the following sources:
1. “Oracle Brand TLD” – ICANNWiki [https://icannwiki.org/Oracle_Brand_TLD]
1. “New gTLD Program” – ICANN [https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program]
1. “Oracle’s annual revenue from 2005 to 2020” – Statista [https://www.statista.com/statistics/263437/oracles-global-revenue-since-2005/]
1. “Does my brand need a new gTLD?” – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/does-my-brand-need-a-new-gtld/article4184047/]
1. “Top-Level Domains” – ICANN [https://learn.icann.org/top-level-domains]
1. “Oracle Corporation” – Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle\_Corporation]
